Cristiano Ronaldo’s whole career has been built on doing the apparently impossible while maintaining a merciless efficiency in front of goal.
Throughout his trophy-laden career, the 37-year-old has shattered goal-scoring records as both Real Madrid’s and Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer.
However, Ronaldo’s hat trick in Manchester United’s 3-2 Premier League victory against Tottenham Hotspur on March 12 has established a new standard for personal excellence.
Ronaldo now has 807 career goals after his first treble since returning to United this summer, with various sites proclaiming him as the all-time leading goal scorer in men’s football, as acknowledged by FIFA.
| Ranking | Player | Goals |
| 1. | Cristiano Ronaldo | 807 |
| 2. | Josef Bican | 805 |
| 3. | Romario | 772 |
| 4. | Lionel Messi | 759 |
| 5. | Pele | 757 |
| 6. | Ferenc Puskas | 746 |
| 7. | Gerd Muller | 734 |
| 8. | Ferenc Deak | 576 |
| 9. | Uwe Seeler | 575 |
| Tulio Maravilha | 575 |
The only other active player on this list is Lionel Messi, who is now 48 goals behind Ronaldo.
Messi, who is 34 years old compared to Ronaldo’s 37, may be able to make up the deficit depending on how long each of their careers lasts.